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Whitman County Republican Central Committee

Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME

1.1. The name of the organization shall be the Whitman County Republican Central
Committee, herein after referred to as the “Central Committee”. The trade names of the
organization shall be (variously): Whitman County Republican Party (WCRP),
Whitman County GOP.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

The purpose of the Central Committee shall be to:

2.1 Recruit, promote, and elect the best Republican Candidates to Office
2.2 Act as the official governing body of the Republican Party (“Party”) within Whitman
County.
2.3 Elect a new Executive Board Officer when a vacancy occurs.
2.4 Encourage public policy consistent with Whitman County Party platforms.
2.5 Fulfill those functions conferred on it by Washington State law, the Washington State
Republican Party (WSRP) and as provided herein.
2.5.1 To assist PCOs in engaging their precincts in discussions related to issues and public
policies that affect local communities by supporting the hosting of town hall meetings,
PCO recruitment events, candidate forums or other events.

2.6 Identify and recruit Republican voters and volunteers.

2.6.1 Nominate, according to Washington State Law and by applicable jurisdiction, a
replacement slate of candidates for partisan elected public office when such office is
vacated for any reason.

ARTICLE III
WHITMAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Central Committee

3.1 The Central Committee consists of two types of membership: voting and non-voting
members.
3.1.1 The voting members of the Central Committee shall consist of: 1) the duly elected or
appointed Republican Precinct Committee Officers (PCO) of Whitman County; 2) the
Republican Precinct Committee Captains of Whitman County; 3) elected members of

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the Executive Board; and 4) the duly elected or appointed Republicans holding partisan
office who reside in Whitman County.
3.1.2 Each member of the Central Committee must be a Republican, in good standing,
residing in Whitman County, and a registered voter therein.
3.1.3 RCW 29A.80.031 states, “If a vacancy occurs in the office of precinct committee
officer by reason of death, resignation, or disqualification of the incumbent, or because
of failure to elect, the respective county chair of the county central committee shall fill
the vacancy by appointment.” Appointed PCO’s must meet the qualifications listed in
RCW 29A.80.
3.1.4 The County Chairman shall also appoint Precinct Captains. There are two types of
Precinct Captains: 1) an WCRCC member who lives in Whitman County and 2) an
WCRCC member where the elected PCO has been removed from active status of the
Central Committee. If the inactive elected PCO should be reinstated to active status,
then the Precinct Captain position shall be immediately dissolved. Precinct Captains
shall fulfill the responsibilities of a PCO.
3.1.5 Only PCOs elected in accordance with Washington State Law and the bylaws of the
Washington State Republican Party shall be eligible to vote at the Biennial
Organizational Meeting. For all other votes, only elected PCOs, elected Central
Committee Executive Board members, or those PCOs and Precinct Captains appointed
60 days or more prior may participate.
3.2 The non-voting members of the Central Committee shall consist of any person who: 1)
is not a member of another political party; and 2) states in writing by signing the
membership card that they support the Whitman County Republican Platform and will
support Republican candidates; and 3) has paid the WCRCC membership dues.
3.2.1 At a Central Committee meeting, both voting and non-voting members shall have a
right to floor privilege (the right to speak) when recognized by the Chairman.
3.3 Until the organization of the WCRCC has been completed following the general
election, the voting membership of the WCRCC shall be limited to those Precinct
Committee Officers elected by the electors in their respective precincts at the State
Primary election and certified by the County Auditor, and those Executive Board
members elected through the course of the organization meeting. When vacancies in the
office of the Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) exists because of failure to be elected
at the State primary election, such vacancies shall not be filled until after the
organization meeting of the WCRCC and an election has been held resulting in the
election of a chairman for the ensuing term of office.
3.4 Removal: Any WCRCC member may be removed from the committee by the Central
Committee; provided that 60 percent of all active voting WCRCC members are present
and also provided that 60 percent of those active voting members present vote to
remove the member. Removal must be prefaced by just cause such as disloyalty to the
party or the WCRCC. Prior to a vote for removal, the accused member shall have the
right to speak to the Central Committee in defense of his/her actions. Removal shall
result in the loss of all rights and privileges granted by these bylaws to WCRCC
membership.
3.4.1 The removed WCRCC member will be further barred from participation in any Central
Committee actions until the next Organizational Meeting of the WCRCC.

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3.5 Inactive Status: An inactive voting member will not be counted in the total voting
membership to establish a quorum and will not be eligible to vote at any Central
Committee meetings.
3.5.1 Any duly elected or appointed Central Committee voting member whose absence is not
excused by the Chair for two consecutive meetings will be considered inactive.
3.5.1.2 Any member who is inactive because of unexcused absences as defined in 3.5.1 and
wishes to be reinstated as an active member of the Central Committee has two options.
He or she may, 1) attend three consecutive meetings and he or she will automatically be
reinstated at the beginning of the third meeting; or 2) request to be reinstated in writing
to the Central Committee Chairman. The Chairman will present the member to the
body; a majority vote will reinstate the inactive member, provided a quorum is met.
3.5.2 Any duly elected or appointed Central Committee voting member who fails to sign the
membership card (once it has been approved by the Central Committee) and/or fails to
pay his or her membership dues (once it is established) will be removed from active
status of the WCRCC.
3.5.2.1 To be reinstated to active status, the member made inactive by 3.5.2 must sign the
membership card and/or pay his or her membership dues.
3.6 Requests for excused prolonged absences may be granted by the Central Committee
Chairman with concurrence of the Executive Board

3.7 PCO Administrative Precinct Duties:

3.7.1 Attend Central Committee meetings on a regular basis and actively participate in Party
events and activities.
3.7.1.1 Keep informed on current issues and candidates; review the Party platform.
3.7.1.2 Obtain and update, where possible, lists of registered voters in the precinct from WSRP
databases, the County Auditor’s office, or the Central Committee.
3.7.1.3 Canvas the precinct and become acquainted with the voters residing therein.
3.7.1.4 Encourage voter registration within the precinct.
3.7.1.5 Hold precinct caucuses in accordance with Washington State Law, the bylaws of the
Washington State Republican Party, and the bylaws of the Whitman County Central
Committee.

3.7.2 PCO Legislative Duties:

3.7.2.1 Elect the Central Committee Officers consisting of Chair and Vice-Chair, State
Committeeman, State Committeewoman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms at
the Biennial Organizational meeting. These elected Officers constitute the Executive
Board.
3.7.2.2 Review and approve or disapprove actions of the Executive Board except in cases
where timely response requires final action prior to the next Central Committee
meeting.

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3.7.2.3 Nominate, by applicable jurisdiction and according to Washington State Law, a

replacement slate of candidates for partisan elected public office when such office is
vacated for any reason.
3.7.2.4 Elect a new Executive Board Officer, nominated by the Chair, when a vacancy occurs.
3.7.2.5 Perform all functions necessary to achieve and satisfy the Mission/Purpose statement of
the Central Committee.
ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE BOARD

Officers of the Central Committee Executive Board

4.0 The officers of the Central Committee Executive Board shall consist of the County
Chairman, County Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, State Committeeman, State
Committeewoman and the following:
4.0.1 Sergeant at Arms.
4.0.2 The chair of the Washington State University College Republicans and the chair of the
Whitman County Women’s Republican Club are ex-officio members of the Executive
Board.
4.1 The term of office for all officers shall be two years or until the next reorganizational
meeting as required by law.
4.1 Conflict of Interest

Executive Board members shall strive to avoid conflicts of interest in both fact and
appearance.

4.2 Vacancies
4.2.1 A position on the Executive Board shall be considered vacant when an Officer no
longer meets residency requirements, a written resignation is submitted to the Chair, or
when an Officer is deceased, or is removed pursuant to these bylaws. Whenever a
vacancy occurs in any elected Central Committee Office, other than Chair, the Chair
shall so advise the Central Committee at its next meeting.
4.1.2 When the office of Chair becomes vacant the Vice-chair or the next officer in
succession shall within 10-days notify the members of the Central Committee.
4.1.3 The position of Chair shall be considered vacant when the Chair files for an elective
partisan public office other than PCO.

4.2 Removal of Central Committee Officer

Removal of an Officer may be for any cause the Central Committee shall deem
sufficient. Consideration for removal of an Officer shall take place at a regular or
special meeting of the Central Committee provided that notice of such impending
action is given 10 days prior to the meeting. An Officer being considered for removal

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shall not chair this meeting. The Officer to be removed shall be given full and fair
opportunity to present evidence and arguments on his/her behalf. A two-thirds majority
vote of all PCOs eligible to vote shall be required to remove subject Officer.

ARTICLE V
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Duties of the Executive Board:
5.0.1 The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the County Chairman. Meeting notices
shall be given by the County Chairman one (1) week in advance of the meetings (see
6.2.1), unless the Executive Board meeting is being called because of a failure of the
Central Committee to meet quorum at the regularly scheduled meeting. In such a case,
an Executive Board Meeting may be called immediately following the regularly
scheduled WCRCC meeting.
5.0.2 Three (3) members of the Executive Board shall have the authority to call the Central
Committee or Executive Board into session whenever they deem a meeting to be
necessary or proper, provided they must first request the county chairman to call such a
meeting.
5.0.2 Manage the affairs of the Central Committee.
5.0.2 Act on behalf of the Central Committee between meetings of the Central Committee
unless expressly forbidden by these Bylaws.
5.0.3 Approve the annual budget and Chair’s Programs and Objectives.
5.0.4 Approve signature authorization on Central Committee financial accounts.
5.0.5 Approve obligations, expenditures, or contracts not to exceed $1,500 over which shall
require a majority vote of a Standard quorum of the Central Committee.
5.0.6 Approve Chair’s proposal to hire any contract person, or employee.
5.0.7 Assist the County Chair
5.0.8 Assure Party financial records are audited yearly through the appointment of an audit
committee consisting of one Executive Board member and two PCOs.
5.0.9 Adopt resolutions passed by the Central Committee.
5.0.10 It is the duty of the Executive Board to prepare a plan for equitable appointment of
delegates to the Washington State Convention.

5.1 Executive Board Officers Duties

5.1.1 The County Chairman

5.1.2 The County Chair is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Committee and is to
preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and Central Committee. The Chair shall

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be responsible for the proper functions of all Executive Board Officers, committees,
contract personnel, and any employees of the Central Committee.
5.1.3 The Chair shall approve all Central Committee expenditures, or delegate such authority
to another Executive Board member.
5.1.4 The Chair shall appoint Chairs of Standing Committees.
5.1.5 The Chair shall appoint special committees deemed necessary to conduct the affairs of
the Central Committee.
5.1.6 The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing and Special Committees.
5.1.6 The Chair shall submit in writing a Statement of Objectives each year to the Executive
Board by the end of the First Quarter.
5.1.7 The Chair shall submit a yearly budget for PCO approval.
5.1.8 The Chair shall assign signatories for all bank accounts, with the approval of the
Executive Board.
5.1.9 The Chair shall be the official spokesperson of the Central Committee and no others
shall speak on behalf of the Central Committee organization unless otherwise appointed
by the Chair.
5.1.10 The Chair shall give a Chair’s Report at all Executive Board and Central Committee
meetings.
5.1.11 The Chair shall appoint PCOs and approve or reject an application for PCO within
thirty (30) days of receiving that application.
5.1.12 The Chair shall ensure members of the Executive Board, volunteers, PCOs and
employees have the appropriate written description of their duties and responsibilities
and training to fulfill these duties.
5.1.13 The Chair shall make nominations of candidates to fill Executive Board vacancies.
5.1.14 The Chair shall be responsible for surrendering promptly and in good order all records
and property to the County Party successor(s).
5.1.15 The Chair shall be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Whitman County
Republican Party.
5.1.16 The Chair shall be responsible for causing notice of meetings to members of the Central
Committee and Executive Board.
5.1.17 The Chair shall fulfill the obligations for county caucuses and conventions in
accordance with Washington State Law and the rules of the WSRP.
5.1.18 The Chair shall solicit and receive funds on behalf of the Central Committee either
personally or through any representative appointed by him for that purpose and transmit
or cause to be transmitted to the treasurer all such funds received.
5.1.19 The Chair shall authorize expenditures up to $500. Expenditures in excess must be
authorized by the Executive Board or, where required, by the Central Committee.

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5.1.20 The Chair shall work to maintain positive relations with community, business,
professional, media, and local government agencies.
5.1.21 The County Chair shall schedule him/herself to attend all State Party meetings and if
unable to attend must make every effort to provide a proxy to attend in his/her stead.
Failure to attend or provide a written proxy to two consecutive State Party meetings
will result in being automatically removed from the County Chairman’s position. The
County Chairman shall be responsible for all expenses incurred in traveling to and from
all State Meetings.

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5.2 Vice-Chair

5.2.1 The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair in the administration of duties.
5.2.2 The Vice Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Central Committee and Executive
Board in the absence of the Chair and exercise all the powers and perform all the duties
of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence, sickness or other inability to act.
5.2.3 The Vice Chair shall perform such duties and coordinate such activities as assigned by
the Chair.
5.2.4 The Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the office of the Chair when that office
becomes vacant.
5.2.5 The Vice Chair shall issue a call to the Central Committee within thirty (30) days when
the office of County Chair becomes vacant for any reason.
5.2.6 The Vice Chair shall be a second signatory on all bank accounts.

5.3 State Committeeman and State Committeewoman

5.3.1 The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman shall represent the Central
Committee, either in person or by proxy, at all meetings of the State Committee, and
shall exercise and perform such powers and duties as usually pertain to those offices
and report fully, except where confined by privilege, to the Executive Board and the
Central Committee the activities of the Republican State Committee, at the next Central
Committee Meeting.
5.3.2 Report to the Chair and Secretary for relay to the Executive Board and the Central
Committee the text of resolutions, endorsements, Bylaw and Policy amendments and
highlights of other actions taken by the State Committee.
5.3.3 If a State Committeeman or State Committeewoman is absent from two consecutive
State Party meetings and fails to provide a written proxy to take their place at the State
Party meeting, he or she will be automatically removed from their State Committeeman
or Committeewoman position.
5.3.4 The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman shall be responsible for all
expenses incurred in traveling to and from all State meetings.

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5.4 Secretary

5.4.1 It is the duty of the Central Committee Secretary to be the secretary of the WCRCC and
the Executive Board.
5.4.2 Shall keep complete and accurate minutes of all proceedings of the Central Committee
and Executive Board and sign completed record of actions taken and shall provide a
copy of all minutes to the PCOs and Executive Board.
5.4.3 The Secretary shall be responsible for written notice of all meetings to the Central
Committee and Executive Board.
5.4.4 The Secretary shall deliver a copy of the minutes of Executive Board meetings to board
members within thirty (30) days of each meeting.
5.4.5 The Secretary shall make available a copy of the minutes of each open Central
Committee in a timely fashion.
5.4.6 The Secretary is responsible for keeping all records of the Central Committee and
Executive Board and promptly surrendering the same, in good order, to a successor.
5.4.7 In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Secretary becomes the Acting Chair
having the authority and responsibilities of the Chair.
5.4.8 The Secretary is responsible for membership records and the process of drafting and
sending meeting notices upon direction of the Chair.

5.5 Treasurer

5.5.1 It is the duty of the Treasurer to be the custodian of all funds of the WCRCC.
5.5.2 The Treasurer shall record all receipts and disbursements and pay all financial
obligations of the Central Committee as approved by the Chair (or the assigned
designee) and/or the Executive Board.
5.5.3 The Treasurer shall ensure all supporting paper and electronic documentation are
maintained in appropriate files.
5.5.4 The Treasurer shall open and maintain, at the direction of the Chair, one or more
Central Committee bank accounts for the purpose of receiving and disbursing Central
Committee funds.
5.5.5 Prepare regular Income/Expense Statements and Bank Balances reports for the Central
Committee and Executive Board.
5.5.6 Prepare and file any Federal, State and County disclosure forms and/or financial reports
that may be required on behalf of Central Committee activities or employees.
5.5.7 It is the duty of the Treasurer to take all necessary steps to comply with State and
Federal statutes in regard to fundraising and reports thereof.
5.5.8 The Treasurer will submit an accounting of income and expenditures to the WCRCC
and the Executive Board at their scheduled meetings.

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5.5.9 Surrender the books upon the request of the Chair or Executive Board for audit. The
books shall be audited once a calendar year, or in the event that the position of the
Treasurer becomes vacant.
5.5.10 Surrender the books in good order to any successor.
5.5.11 In the absence of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, shall serve as the Acting Chair
and have the authority and responsibilities of the Chair.
5.6 Sergeant at Arms
5.6.1 The Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order and validate credentials.

ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS

6.0 Biennial Organizational Meeting of the Central Committee

6.1 The organizational meeting of the Central Committee shall be held at such time and
place so designated by a call of the properly authorized officers of the Central
Committee, no earlier than December 1 and no later than the second week of January of
the appropriate year, in accordance with RCW 29A.80.030.
6.1.1 The term on office of all positions elected at the organizational meeting or otherwise
shall be for up to two years, or until the next organizational meeting.
6.1.2 The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be of the opposite sex.
6.1.3 Voting members as defined in 3.1.5 shall adopt rules and regulations to govern itself
during the succeeding biennium. The adoption of proposed and amended bylaws by the
Central Committee shall constitute the adoption of said rules and regulations.
6.1.4 The order of business at the organization meeting shall be:
A. Reading of the call to the organization meeting
B. Roll call and declaration of a quorum
C. Invocation
D. Flag Salute
E. Election of temporary chairman
F. Treasurers report
G. Adoption of bylaws
H. Election of WCRCC County Chairman
I. Seating of newly elected WCRCC Chairman
J. Election of County Vice-Chairman
K. Election of State Committeeman
L. Election of State Committeewoman
M. Election of Secretary
N. Election of Treasurer
O. Election of a Sergeant at Arms

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P. Unfinished business
Q. New Business
R. Set WCRCC meeting calendar for remainder of year
S. Approve membership card and set membership dues
T. Adjourn
6.1.5 A nominating Committee shall be appointed as soon after the November elections as
the results are known. This Committee shall present nominations for the various
officers of the Organization at the meeting, provided by statue, for organizing the
Whitman County Republican Central Committee. Nominations shall be open from the
floor at this organizational meeting.

6.2 Regular Meetings

6.2.1 The Central Committee shall meet at least quarterly each calendar year. Ten days’
notice of a meeting time and place shall be provided to Committee members. Notice
may be made via regular mail or electronic delivery if approved by the Committee
member. An emergency Executive Board meeting may be called with 6-hour notice as
long as there is an agreement by the majority of the Executive Board members and
phone or video conferencing participation is available.

6.3 Special Meetings

6.3.1 The Chair may call a special meeting of the Central Committee at any time. The Chair
shall call within fourteen (14) days a special meeting of the Central Committee
whenever fifty (50) percent of the Members of the Executive Board or thirty (30)
percent of the Members of the Central Committee, by signed petition, demand such a
meeting to be called. Ten days’ notice of the meeting time and place shall be provided
to members. Notice may be made via personal contact, regular mail, telephone, fax or
email. The notice shall specify the purpose of the meeting.
6.3.2 The Chair or three members of the Executive Board shall have the authority to call a
meeting of the Board into special session, setting the time and place, should such
special meeting be deemed necessary and proper. Meetings may be conducted by
means of personal contact, regular mail, telephone, or by e-mail, internet, or other
electronic method.
6.3.3 At the discretion of the County Chairman, telephonic, and/or video conferencing
technology may be allowed by exception for Executive Board meetings.

6.4 Quorum
6.4.1 A Standard quorum consists of twenty (20) percent of the Central Committee Members,
except as noted elsewhere in these bylaws.
6.4.2 Central Committee meetings called for the adoption or amendment of Bylaws, election
of Officers, or removal of Officers must consist of a quorum of twenty (20) percent of
the Central Committee Members at the time of the call with a notice of such action
being given thirty (30) days before the meeting

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6.4.3 Fifty (50) percent of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for
the Executive Board for the transaction of business.
6.4.4 The Central Committee may temporarily suspend, for specific purpose, any provision
of the rules bearing upon the procedures of the Central Committee or the Executive
Board by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of members present.

6.5 Voting
6.5.1 Until the organization of the Central Committee has been completed following the
general election, the voting membership of the Central Committee shall be limited to
those Precinct Committee Officers elected by the electors in their respective precincts
at the State Primary election and certified by the County Auditor, and those Executive
Board members elected through the course of the organization meeting. When
vacancies in the office of the Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) exists because of
failure to be elected at the State primary election, such vacancies shall not be filled until
after the organization meeting of the Central Committee. For all other votes, only
elected PCOs, Executive Board members, or those appointed PCOs and Precinct
Committee Captains who were appointed 60-days or more prior may participate.

ARTICLE VII
COUNTY CONVENTION

7.0 Conduct of County Convention

A. Call to order by the County Chairman of the Central Committee
B. Opening ceremonies
C. Appointment by the County Chairman of the Central Committee of temporary
chairman, recording secretary, and assistant secretary. The County Chairman shall
appoint the permanent sergeant at arms and parliamentarian
D. Announced Republican candidates will be allowed to speak to the body throughout
the convention, as available. Speeches will be limited to three (3) minutes
E. First report of credentials committee
F. Final report of credentials committee (if two are used)
G. Rules committee report and adoption of Convention Rules
H. Election of permanent chairman
I. Election of recording secretary
J. Election of assistant secretary
K. Election of delegates and alternates to State Convention
L. Report of platform committee
M. Miscellaneous Business
N. Announcements and adjournment

ARTICLE VIII
Parliamentary Authority

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8.0 When not inconsistent with the provision in these Bylaws, Roberts Rules of Order
Newly Revised (most current edition) shall govern all meetings of the Central
Committee and Executive Board.

ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION

9.0 In the event of dissolution of the Central Committee prior to the next election of PCOs,
all property shall be liquidated, and obligations and liabilities paid. Any remaining
funds shall be given to the Washington State Republican Party Central Committee to be
held in trust for future reorganization of the Central Committee in Whitman County.
None of these funds shall inure to the benefit of any Central Committee member.

ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS

10.0 These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a Standard quorum present
at any properly called meeting of the Central Committee. The proposed amendment
shall be submitted to the County Chair not later than thirty (30) days prior to the
convening of any meeting of the Central Committee. The County Chair shall mail a
copy of the proposed amendment to each Central Committee member not later than ten
(10) days prior to the convening of the meeting.

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